The Simulation Project and LogiCum Reps

In through the big doors entered Bob Thompson, Finance Director for the simulation project and Gus Edwards, Programming VP for LogiCum. I took a deep breath before flashing my fake corporate smile and inviting them to sit down in front my desk. "Gentlemen! Great to see you! How long has it been? 3 months?"

"3 months or 3 years, who knows! This whole thing has felt like its taken a lifetime!" Bob always had those happy vibes keeping morale up and he was right. This project has taken a lot out of everyone involved. Gus simply smiled and nodded.

I wasn't looking forward to this meeting. I would have to tell them again that this project couldn't get any extra funding from us just like I told them at our last meeting. My dad cared more about keeping the bank afloat and said $3 trillion in investment should be more than enough. My hands were tied even though I knew this was all pointless. No one would care about our 'great legacy' 6 months from now.

After a bit of small talk and beating around the bush talking about their great progress, I had to give them the bad news. "Listen, I know you guys are working hard, but we have nothing more we can invest. You would think we could fund a **** star with what we have given, but even we have our limits. Sorry gentlemen."

Bob then smiled as if he knew I would say that and was prepared with a new pitch. "Listen, Matthew. We are grateful for all Brooks and Reynolds has done, and we know you personally believe in this. But, we are just asking for $10 billion more. And we aren't just going to take the money this time. We think we can reward you in return." Bob looked to Gus and nodded and Gus opened a presentation on the laptop.

"Mr. Reynolds, we thing we have the perfect incentive to pique your interest. You know we at LogiCum has some... plans with our part of the server space, and if you can just get us that last $10 billion we need we have just the gift for you. How would you like your own paradise in the server? A 'world' where you and up to 50 others you select will be placed where you have the ultimate control and override on what goes on and the avatars and minds of the others. You could go ahead and pick someone like Jessica Alba give you a lap dance every night at a personal strip club for the rest of eternity or you could live in a power fantasy as Goku defending your family and friends on Earth from evil villains. Whatever it is you desire you can have it. You just get a limit of 50 people, but outside that it will be your own Garden of Eden!"

For a man who could have almost anything he wanted, they managed to offer me something I could never buy on my own. My own little space to live life however I wanted in the sim. Ultimate control for me over several dozen others.

Bob knew he was close to having me hooked. "Come on Matthew, what's the point in having all 'this'" he pointed to my large office all around me, "and all that money when you are going to be in that computer in several months?"